Logging activity on McGraw Ford WMA - October 2023

[jncs2003]

Last night I was headed to the McGraw Ford WMA to deer hunt. Upon arriving, I found that a logging group was in there heavily thinning the woods North of the back dove fields, all the way up to the power line trail running West->East. Normally I would be excited to see habitat opened up and thinned, but I have a ton of frustration with this happening during the middle of deer season and no notice that I am aware of being posted to alert hunters.

I am curious if any McGraw Ford hunters out there knew that this logging operation was planned for October, and did I just miss the notices? Or is this another example of the Department of Forestry and the Fish & Game failing to communicate/coordinate this necessary activity, during a more appropriate operational window?

 

[Bowyer29]

Last night I was headed to the McGraw Ford WMA to deer hunt. Upon arriving, I found that a logging group was in there heavily thinning the woods North of the back dove fields, all the way up to the power line trail running West->East. Normally I would be excited to see habitat opened up and thinned, but I have a ton of frustration with this happening during the middle of deer season and no notice that I am aware of being posted to alert hunters.

I am curious if any McGraw Ford hunters out there knew that this logging operation was planned for October, and did I just miss the notices? Or is this another example of the Department of Forestry and the Fish & Game failing to communicate/coordinate this necessary activity, during a more appropriate operational window?

If memory serves me correctly, GA Power owns that land. No State agency is to blame if that's true as the State would only lease the property. Many folks dont get notice on private property that logging is going to take place, theres almost no chance youre going to be notified on a WMA that is provately owned.
There will be plenty of deer all over those areas whenever people aren't actually there working.
Hunt and you will have good luck!

 

[Kev]

I sold the timber behind my house and they called thanksgiving day to tell me they were moving in. I’d of rather they waited a few weeks but it’s just business to them and they have to make a living.

 

[antharper]

I wouldn’t expect a notification in the future either ! My local wma seems like they cut whenever they feel the need. I’ve never seen it posted or anything .

 

[antharper]

I hope your trail cams didn’t go missing or ruined ! Also see that crew is about the same as most loggers . Look for a nice food plot to set up a loading dock

 

[Jack Flynn]

Southern pine beetles are out in force this year. They are cutting several wma's infestations out right now. Clarks Hill is having several places done. You can see the pine dust around a lot of trees they aren't cutting yet.

 

[Deerhunter12454]

Best thing to happen to a piece of property. I can just hear the beagles now

 

[SwampMoss]

Some of the best hunting I ever had was when the loggers moved in. The green tops and the acorns were now on the ground. The guy cut off the machine and the deer moved in immediately. I know where I would be.

 

[Glenn]

That sucks! Between now and Halloween was always a good time to be in the woods out there.

I hunted an area where it would be pretty difficult to log because of steep hills and creeks. But I guess they could always come in from private to access it.

I thought the state owned McGraw Ford?

 

[bfriendly]

I was at Pinelog a while back and as I approached he Dove fields I saw trees falling and heard the commotion. It wiped out my favorite natural ground blinds(2) and completely changed the scene. I get notifications on closed boat ramps that are completely irrelevant to me, but never seen a logging notification.
I know it’s a bummer, but there is nothing we can do but move on.…..and hunt! Try to let the agreed upon future benefits be the driving force that keeps you positive and having FUN!

 

[slow motion]

If memory serves me correctly, GA Power owns that land. No State agency is to blame if that's true as the State would only lease the property. Many folks dont get notice on private property that logging is going to take place, theres almost no chance youre going to be notified on a WMA that is provately owned.
There will be plenty of deer all over those areas whenever people aren't actually there working.
Hunt and you will have good luck!

I thought the State bought that as part of Preservation 2000? Seems that's what is was called. Purchase and preserve land by the year 2000. Seems part was funded by an increase in license fees. Course my memory may not be what I thought it was.

 

[Bowyer29]

I thought the State bought that as part of Preservation 2000? Seems that's what is was called. Purchase and preserve land by the year 2000. Seems part was funded by an increase in license fees. Course my memory may not be what I thought it was.

Could be, and I just missed that. My memory isn't what it used to be either.

 

[Deerhead]

Hunt it! Deer are still there. Just back away from the logging operation to a safe distance. You will thank me later

 

[slow motion]

Could be, and I just missed that. My memory isn't what it used to be either.

Did a search for Preservation 2000. I was wrong about Mcgraw Ford as well as by 2000. It wasn't one of the properties purchased and it was by year 1995. Not sure reason for the name. There's a older GON article about it. Be interesting to see a follow up on how it all panned out over time. Especially pertaining to hunting and fishing access for the properties since license fees generated far more of the purchase price than originally planned.

 

[Gator89]

Removing beetle infested trees is preserving the overall health of the forest.

 

[Dustin Pate]

Hunt it! Deer are still there. Just back away from the logging operation to a safe distance. You will thank me later

I'd be in there every evening waiting on them to turn the equipment off! Folks have no idea how good the hunting is in those areas.

 

[Deerhead]

I'd be in there every evening waiting on them to turn the equipment off! Folks have no idea how good the hunting is in those areas.

Don't tell'em or they will find our secrete spot

 

[Bowyer29]

Did a search for Preservation 2000. I was wrong about Mcgraw Ford as well as by 2000. It wasn't one of the properties purchased and it was by year 1995. Not sure reason for the name. There's a older GON article about it. Be interesting to see a follow up on how it all panned out over time. Especially pertaining to hunting and fishing access for the properties since license fees generated far more of the purchase price than originally planned.

I remember that it was open to rifle hunts either 1 or 2 years, and the neighboring landowners had fits. I lived in Ball Ground then. They killed some big bucks with big body weights. Went to bow only for big game and success rates dropped, obviously, but there are still a lot of deer running around. Opening day of ML sounded like a war zone on the neighboring properties some years.

 

[specialk]

Ask any deer hunting logger if hes ever kept his rifle in the skidder....

 

[slow motion]

I remember that it was open to rifle hunts either 1 or 2 years, and the neighboring landowners had fits. I lived in Ball Ground then. They killed some big bucks with big body weights. Went to bow only for big game and success rates dropped, obviously, but there are still a lot of deer running around. Opening day of ML sounded like a war zone on the neighboring properties some years.

I hunted there a few times during those early years. Ran into some, shall we say, unique individuals. One in particular. Felt like he might have a few bodies buried in his back yard. Haven't hunted public since.